Longevity Scientist Shares What Affects Biological Age
Aging has long been seen as an irreversible process, but recent advancements in science have shown that it's possible to slow down—or even reverse—biological age. On the Seamon podcast, Raghav Seal, a PhD candidate at Yale University, shared insights into his research on epigenetic age and how various interventions, such as diet, exercise, and pharmacological treatments, can impact aging at a molecular level. Raghav has developed a tool known as Symphony AG, a biological age clock that measures aging across 11 organ systems, which uses molecular data to provide a snapshot of a person's biological age.
Understanding Biological and Epigenetic Age
The concept of biological age is more complex than chronological age, which simply counts the number of years since birth. Biological age refers to how well or poorly your body is functioning relative to your actual age. It reflects how quickly your body is aging, and it can be influenced by various factors, including genetics, lifestyle, and environmental exposures. One way to measure biological age is through epigenetics, which studies changes to gene expression that do not involve alterations to the DNA sequence itself.
Epigenetic clocks, particularly those based on DNA methylation, have emerged as powerful tools for predicting biological age. These clocks work by measuring chemical modifications to DNA, known as methyl groups, which regulate gene activity. DNA methylation patterns have been shown to correlate strongly with aging and the development of age-related diseases. For example, higher DNA methylation age can indicate a higher risk of developing diseases like cardiovascular disease or diabetes.
The Role of Interventions in Modifying Biological Age
Raghav's study examined how different interventions—ranging from lifestyle changes to pharmaceutical treatments—affect epigenetic age. By reviewing clinical trials and synthesizing data from 51 different interventions, the study sought to answer whether these interventions could slow down or reverse the biological aging process.
The results were promising. Approximately 50% of the interventions tested showed a reduction in epigenetic age. This suggests that interventions targeting longevity, whether through diet, exercise, or medication, can have measurable effects on biological aging. However, the study also revealed that some interventions, like certain medications, did not have the desired effect on epigenetic age, highlighting the need for further research into which treatments are most effective.
Diet and Exercise as Key Players in Slowing Aging
Among the most effective interventions were dietary changes. Various diets, including Mediterranean, low-carb, vegan, and calorie-restricted diets, consistently showed a reduction in epigenetic age across the board. Combining diet with exercise produced even greater effects, suggesting that a holistic approach to health—incorporating both nutrition and physical activity—can significantly impact the aging process.
Interestingly, while exercise alone did not always result in a reduction of epigenetic age, when combined with diet, the effects were much more pronounced. This underscores the importance of a balanced lifestyle in maintaining health and slowing aging.
The Impact of Inflammation on Epigenetic Age
One of the most striking findings of the study was the role of inflammation in biological aging. Chronic inflammation has long been associated with aging and age-related diseases. Inflammatory markers were consistently found to correlate with higher epigenetic age, and interventions that reduced inflammation, such as anti-inflammatory therapies, led to significant decreases in epigenetic age.
Raghav also discussed how conditions like COVID-19, which causes severe inflammation in the body, can accelerate biological aging. In patients with long-term COVID symptoms, the body’s inflammatory state remains high, leading to an increase in biological age. This demonstrates how epigenetic clocks can serve as an early warning system, alerting us to health conditions before they manifest in more severe forms.
Future Directions and Personalized Medicine
Looking ahead, Raghav believes the future of aging science lies in personalized medicine. By using biomarkers like epigenetic clocks, doctors will be able to assess the biological age of different organs and tailor interventions to address specific areas of aging. For example, a patient with accelerated heart aging might receive different treatments from someone with accelerated metabolic aging. This personalized approach has the potential to revolutionize how we prevent and treat age-related diseases.
The research also points to the potential of epigenetic reprogramming as a means of reversing aging. While current interventions primarily slow down aging, the hope is that in the future, more advanced therapies may be able to reset the biological clock entirely, allowing for true rejuvenation.
Conclusion
The field of aging research is evolving rapidly, and tools like epigenetic clocks are helping scientists better understand the complex processes of aging. By identifying interventions that can slow down or even reverse biological age, Raghav's work opens the door to more effective treatments for age-related diseases and improved healthspan. As the cost of genetic testing continues to decrease, it’s likely that more people will have access to these insights, leading to a shift from reactive to proactive healthcare. In the future, we may not only live longer but also age more healthfully, with tailored interventions that keep us at our biological best.